Simply Stuck

The national weather has recently altered the travel plans of thousands. Last week, people were stuck in airports on the East Coast. Flights from Atlanta, New York, and Philedephia were grounded due to a huge ice storm that left the coast reeling. Passengers grumbled and complained but were ultimately forced to wait the storm out. Days ago, drivers were piling up on a freeway in California as they waited for plows to remove snow that obstructed their path. In blizzard like conditions, people rushed to find nearby shelter and many were reported to have spent the night in their cars. People wanting to be somewhere else, but finding they were simply stuck.

Today, as I sit and type, I have been holed up in the warmth of my home for three days. Several inches of snow and bitter winds have cancelled surrounding schools and shut down most of the small communities around me. Although my husband has plowed our driveway several times, the winds quickly replace the snow he has cleared, leaving my driveway impassible. Like the other travelers mentioned previously, I find that I, too, am simply stuck. The main difference being I do not mind. I am content where I am at.

Finding yourself in a place of confinement can produce much stress. Knowing where you want to be, and being unable to move yourself to that point, can result in anger, frustration, and even depression. Humans like to be in control. When control is removed from our hands, some immediately feel helpless and vulnerable.

In a spiritual sense, we desire control as well. We like our independence and the ability to plan for ourselves. Often, we set goals and devise plans to take us from where we are to where we think we need to be. We construct such plans for ourselves, our families, and even our church. We calculate our path, adjust our speed, and carefully monitor our progress so we will reach our desired destination on time. Ufortunately, we often proceed with our plans without consulting the Master Planner. When this occurs we might just find ourselves on a long highway piled with snow.

You see, sometimes the storms of life roll in. If we have stuck close by His side, we will never be stuck in an isolated place. When we follow in His steps, we move only when He advances. We wait patiently when He slows and stop if He pauses. We will not experience undo anxiety or stress when we are sheltered in His Presence. We have all we need, we are loved, and we feel peace. Much like my respite from the cold these last few days. What others might view as being stuck is nothing more than a time holed up in a warm place with Him.

But what about those times we have not remained by His side and find ourselves truly stuck and unable to move? How should we react? How do we find our way back?

When we realize we are losing control, our human instinct tells us to fight to gain it back. When we perceive that we have become stuck we fly into action to remedy the situation. Without pause, we will often reevaluate, recalculate and try a new method. We frantically search for answers while God is waiting for us to discard our plans and turn to His.

The solution is to cry out to the Lord and to wait on Him to make Himself known. Tune your ear once again to His voice and listen to what He will speak into your situation.

He will hear your cry.
He will come and find you.
He will rescue you from your distress.
He will shelter you until all danger has passed.
Then, He will fulfill His purpose for you.
For great is His love and faithfulness, it reaches to the heavens.

Adapted from Psalm 57.